FANTASY FOOTBALL ARTICLES

2006 Training Camp Injury Report #4Philip Gentles
August 22, 2006

Domanick Davis, RB, HOU
Off-Season Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Huddle Up: Domanick Davis, who had off-season arthroscopic knee surgery, continues to make progress in his recovery but according to reports the Texans' aren't sure when he will be ready to play. Davis hasn't practiced with the team for quite some time now because of lingering soreness and swelling in his surgically repaired knee. The exact nature of his injury and the cause of his problems have not been made public, but it now appears that a lot more was done to his knee during the off-season than just a simple arthroscopic procedure. Head coach Gary Kubiak told reporters that Davis began running again last week and by all accounts everything went well. However he went on to say that Davis will continue to get treatment on his knee and that he didn't expect him back on the practice field anytime soon. Antowain Smith is currently his backup so if Davis is unavailable for the start of the regular season look for Smith to get a bulk of the carries in his place.

Samkon Gado, RB, GB
Strained Groin

Huddle Up: Packers' RB Samkon Gado returned to practice on Monday after being held out of this past weekend's pre-season game because of a strained groin. Gado actually took part in the team's pre-game warm-ups but the team's medical staff decided that he wasn't ready to play and they kept him out as a precaution. He was back on the field on Monday and according to reports he appeared to be OK. The Packers' have not said if he will be able to play in their next pre-season game but it looks like he is making steady progress in his recovery and barring a setback he should be ready to play in Week 1.

Torry Holt, WR, STL
Bruised Sternum

Huddle Up: Rams' WR Torry Holt left this past weekend's pre-season game with a bruised sternum. However the injury is not considered serious and head coach Scott Linehan told reports that Holt could be back on the field as early as tomorrow (Wednesday). Holt was hurt in the second quarter of the game when the point of the ball hit the middle of his chest after he was tackled from behind following a reception. He was immediately taken to the locker room for X-rays. And while the results were negative he did not return to the game. The good news is that Holt has been diagnosed with a minor bruise and he should cleared to practice sometime soon.

Darrell Jackson, WR, SEA
Off-Season Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Huddle Up: Seahawks' WR Darrell Jackson continues his steady recovery from off-season knee surgery, but he still hasn't been cleared to practice with the team and as expected he did not play in Sunday's pre-season game. According to reports Jackson will likely miss the team's next pre-season game but he is very close to making his return to the practice field and he could be cleared as early as next Monday. Team officials have told reporters that they are taking the conservative approach in regards to Jackson's recovery, so even if he doesn't play in any of the team's pre-season games the goal is to have him ready for the start of the regular season.

Jamal Lewis, RB, BAL
Strained Hip Flexor

Huddle Up: Ravens' RB Jamal Lewis, who has been dealing with a strained hip flexor, just hasn't been able to get healthy and as a result the team's medical staff has decided to shut him down for the remainder of the pre-season. Lewis injured his hip flexor during a workout just before the start of training camp and while he had shown signs of improvement he was still dealing with discomfort and soreness in the affected area. So rather than risk further injury the medical staff will keep him out until the week leading up to the Ravens' regular season opener. Team officials don't appear to be concerned but we will keep an eye on his progress over the next couple of weeks.

Terrell Owens, WR, DAL
Strained Hamstring

Huddle Up: Cowboys' head coach Bill Parcells doesn't believe that the injury to WR Terrell Owens is a big deal and he has been pushing for T.O. to practice. However after returning to practice last week Owens reportedly re-injured his hamstring and he has been out of action ever since. T.O. was sidelined for the team's first pre-season game and was held out of Monday night's exhibition game as well and according to Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones he could be headed for another MRI. But I'm not so sure we should believe all of this. I believe the biggest obstacle right now in his recovery is the fact that the Cowboys medical staff has not been very involved in his rehab. Owens has been working almost exclusively with his own people. What's the difference you ask? Well, the Cowboys' medical staff wants to get T.O. ready to practice and play as soon as possible. T.O.'s staff is there to satisfy T.O. This whole thing has the feeling of Owens using his hamstring as an excuse to sit out because he isn't happy with being held out of games. I'm not saying that he is faking the injury. But it appears that he isn't cooperating with the Cowboys' medical staff. I expect T.O. To be ready when the regular season begins, but the Cowboys are already seeing the negative side of having him on their team.

Carson Palmer, QB, CIN
Recovering from Major Knee Surgery

Huddle Up: It's been an up and down training camp for Carson Palmer owners and fantasy leaguers looking to draft him. First we hear that Palmer is way ahead in his rehab and recovery, and then we are told that he is having problems with his confidence. The bad news keeps on coming with reports that he may not be ready to play until after the start of the regular season, and finally the most recent news that Palmer intends to play in the Bengals' next pre-season game. Palmer recently told reporters that he is preparing to make his 2006 debut in the team's next exhibition game. An official decision has not been made and we won't know his status until sometime later in the week, but at least he appears to be regaining his confidence. If you have followed our Carson Palmer coverage this summer you will undoubtedly know how we feel about him this season. Palmer is still only about 8 months removed from major knee surgery so even if he plays this pre-season and he is cleared to play in Week 1, he will still be at least 3 months away before he is back to 100%. So don't expect him to have the kind of season he had last year.

Chris Perry, RB, CIN
Recovering from Knee and Ankle Surgery

Huddle Up: Bengals' RB Chris Perry, who is recovering from knee and ankle surgeries, remains on the team's PUP list and according to reports he will likely miss the remainder of the pre-season. Perry told reporters that the team's medical staff misdiagnosed the problems in his knee and ankle and that he could have been back by now if his injuries were dealt with sooner. Head coach Marvin Lewis believes that things are going as well for Perry as they possibly could, however Lewis reportedly said that there is little chance that he will be cleared to play prior to the start of the regular season. As long as Perry remains sidelined Kenny Watson will operate as Rudi Johnson's backup.

Steve Smith, WR, CAR
Strained Hamstring

Huddle Up: Panthers' WR Steve Smith has once again been sidelined because of a nagging hamstring injury. But head coach John Fox isn't very concerned, doesn't believe that he will be sidelined for long and he expects Smith to be ready for the start of the regular season. Smith missed a good portion of the team's training camp with a strained hamstring and has not played in any of the team's exhibition games but he was finally cleared to return to practice last week. Unfortunately the stiffness and soreness in his leg returned during and after workouts and the team's medical staff decided to keep him out of practice on Monday as a precaution. He was seen riding a stationary bike and he did some individual work with the athletic training staff. Smith could return to the practice field sometime soon but his status for this Thursday's game against the Dolphins remains in question.

Jerramy Stevens, TE, SEA
Torn Meniscus / Arthroscopic Surgery

Huddle Up: Seahawks' TE Jerramy Stevens, who was already recovering from off-season surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, tore his meniscus again in practice last Thursday. Stevens has since undergone surgery to fix the new problem and he will be sidelined 6 - 8 weeks. According to reports the Seahawks' felt the surgery was a success and if all goes well Stevens should be ready to play sometime in early October. Itula Mili will get the start in his place.

Brandon Stokley, WR, IND
High Ankle Sprain

Huddle Up: According to reports Colts' WR Brandon Stokley looks doubtful for Week 1 of the regular season after he suffered a high ankle sprain in practice last week. Stokley, who was hurt after landing awkwardly while trying to make a catch during a drill, is currently wearing a brace and the team's medical staff doesn't expect him to practice for at least another two weeks. Stokley told reporters that he plans on getting himself ready for the start of the season but team officials aren't sure if he will be able to play until at least Week 2.

Ben Troupe, TE, TEN
Sprained Thumb

Huddle Up: According to reports Titans' starting TE Ben Troupe suffered a sprained thumb during Sunday's pre-season game. Head coach Jeff Fisher confirmed in a press conference after the game that the injury was a sprain, but that it was considered minor. Troupe could miss some practice time this week but it doesn't look like he will be out for very long. This shouldn't affect his status for the start of the regular season.

Hines Ward, WR, PIT
Strained Hamstring

Huddle Up: Steelers' veteran WR Hines Ward, who has missed both of the team's pre-season games because of a strained hamstring, returned to practice on Monday for the first time since the injury occurred and the medical staff. Ward appeared to pull up while running a pass route during a drill at the end of practice but head coach Bill Cowher said that there was nothing to worry about. Ward has been frustrated with his recovery but he has told reporters that he will do whatever it takes to get ready for Week 1. After clearing a physical over the weekend he was given the OK to return to the field, but the team's medical staff will continue to limit him and there is a good chance that he will be held out of the Steelers' final exhibition games as a precaution. Ward appears to be improving but the team is not going to take any chances.

Brian Westbrook, RB, PHI
Sprained Foot

Huddle Up: Eagles' RB Brian Westbrook, who is out because of a sprained foot, is still at least a week away from making his return to the practice field. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters that Westbrook is making progress in his rehab but that he will likely miss the team's remaining pre-season games. Now the team expects him to return to practice on a limited basis prior to the start of the regular season, but while they remain optimistic they really aren't sure if he will be ready to play in Week 1. So they have brought in veteran free agent RB Stephen Davis for a look. They haven't signed him to a contract yet, but his visit to Eagles' camp indicates that the team is concerned about Westbrook's availability for their regular season opener. We will keep you posted on his recovery.